Exclusive: Dual-screen ZTE Axon M, Blade V9 in works for South Africa

In a crowd of notched Android phones or iterative designs, MWC 2018 also had a few unique smartphones on offer. And probably the most unique device on display was the ZTE Axon M, packing a Kyocera Echo-style dual-screen form factor.

The dual screens allow you to either treat each screen separately or as one tablet-style display, making for a unique selling point, if anything.

Now, ZTE’s South African representatives have confirmed to Gearburn that they’re looking at bringing the device to South Africa, along with the mid-range Blade V9.

The representative said they were bringing “awesome products like Axon M Dual Screen and the Blade V9” to the market, adding that they were “currently still finding homes for the products”.

The ZTE representative said it could “take another two to three months” before they finalise release plans.

What to expect from both phones?

Other than the dual screen tech, the Axon M is a phone straight out of 2016, largely due to a capable but ageing Snapdragon 821 processor. Backing up the processor is 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage, while a 3180mAh battery keeps things going.

Other noteworthy features include a Sony-inspired side-mounted fingerprint scanner and a 20MP main camera. There’s no selfie camera here, so you’ll need to fold the phone up and use the main camera to take self-portraits.

Read more: Gallery – the MWC 2018 smartphones you may have missed

Meanwhile, the ZTE Blade V9 looks like a great mid-range buy, powered by the new (and efficient) Snapdragon 450 budget chip, 3GB/4GB RAM, 32GB/64GB expandable storage and a 3100mAh battery.

The budget phone also packs a 16MP (f/1.8) and 5MP dual camera setup, an 8MP front-facing camera, a rear fingerprint scanner and a tall 5.7-inch 2160×1080 display.

It wouldn’t be the first time that ZTE promises high-profile phones for the SA market. We previously saw the ZTE Axon 7 Mini launch here via MTN, while the Axon 7 launch was eventually scuppered.